Eye on L.A. for June 20, 2009

Originally aired Sat., June 20, at 6:30 p.m.

June 20, 2009 12:00:00 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES --

This week on Eye on L.A.: Young storytellers, The Gabriella Axelrad Education Foundation, Heritage Square Museum, historic downtown L.A., and the Burgess Cotillion.YOUNG STORYTELLERS An innovative writing program is taking Los Angeles area classrooms by storm. The Young Storytellers Foundation is teaching children to love telling stories. Not only is the program improving children's writing and literacy skills, it's boosting their self-confidence.

For more information on the Young Storytellers Foundation, to make donations or to volunteer, go to: www.youngstorytellers.com

FOR THE LOVE OF DANCE The Gabriella Axelrad Education Foundation, created nearly 10 years ago, runs the Everybody Dance program in the Pico Union district in Los Angeles. This dance program was created in the memory of Gabriella Axelrad, a 13-year-old who loved to dance. Thousands of local children receive quality instructional dance classes: tap, ballet, jazz, modern dance and many more for just $5 a class per month. The foundation's founder, Liza Bercovici, says the goal is to help each child it serves acquire self-discipline, self-confidence and self-expression -- and in so doing, increase each child's potential for a fulfilled, productive future.

There is a waiting list to join Everybody Dance. For more information, to sign up or support the foundation, you can write or call: The Gabriella Axelrad Education Foundation 631 South Commonwealth Avenue Los Angeles, California 90005 (213) 365-2491info@gabri.org

LOST TO PROGRESS The Heritage Square Museum in Highland Park is a collection of well-preserved historical homes which were saved from demolition and transplanted from various Los Angeles neighborhoods. The museum is open year-round and offers four revolving exhibits. Lost to Progress is an exhibit open to the public until June 28, 2009.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS Step inside two of the most iconic buildings in downtown Los Angeles: St. Vibiana's Cathedral and the Bradbury Building. Both buildings date back to the late 1800s, when L.A.'s population was a mere 10,000 people. Today, both buildings are still thriving, thanks to thorough renovation and preservation throughout the years. St. Vibiana's has been converted into a performing-arts space that can be rented out for private events, and the Bradbury Building is still a working commercial building with 14 tenants. The first floor is open to the public to view throughout the day.

MANNERS MATTER Burgess Cotillion is a ballroom and etiquette program open to children throughout Los Angeles, ages 9 to 16. The Cotillion Master is Bobby Burgess, one of the original Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers. Burgess teaches children several traditional and modern dances throughout the eight-week series. Burgess Cotillion is in its 21st season and conducts its classes in the Crystal Ballroom of the Golden Sails Hotel in Long Beach. Along with dance courses, the students are also taught etiquette on everything from table and cell-phone manners to greeting formalities.